The National Rugby Championship witnessed a clash of generations over the weekend, with the seasoned Platinum Credit Heathens leading the game and the Jinja Hippos using their young age to get a deserved draw.
The opening exchanges were slow-burning, but soon ignited with Innocent Gwokto‘s brilliance to cross the white wash for the Heathens.
David Wako who was the Hippos captain on the day made a superb solo run to ground the ball between the up rights to level the game before the try was converted by Yasin Wasswa to give the Hippos a short-lived lead.
Heathens Flex Experience
The Platinum Credit Heathens picked cards from their experienced team to regain the lead from a synergistic run to cross the try line through Michael Amollo, though Malcom Okello‘s missed conversion kept the score close.
The Jinja Hippos were not done as they got a penalty after the Heathens’ continued infringements and this was converted by Yasin to level the game.
Micheal Wokorach caught the Hippos napping to cross the try line from a quickly taken penalty to give the Heathens a five points cushion at halftime.
The second half kicked off with interludes of missed penalties before the Heathens extended their lead from a controversial Micheal Wokorach try, that is believed to not have crossed the white wash.
A bootless Malcom Okello kicked only to miss the conversion and the game remained 20-10 until the Hippos made changes, bringing on flanker Fidel Aremo.
Hippos Roar Back
The substitution worked wonders as Fidel crossed the white wash ten minutes later to put the game within a five points reach, before Yasin like Malcom ealier, also missed the conversion.
A try from Brighton Bakasa levelled the game to give the Jinja Hippos a deserved draw as they were the better team in the last forty minutes. The conversion that would have seen the Hippos win the game was missed by Yasin.
The Hippos, now playing with maturity, attack the sea waters next to face off with the roaming Pirates at Kings Park Arena, a game that presents an opportunity to cement the theory of title contenders for the Rugby Championship this year.
Well done to the boys and on to the next one!
Courtesy Photos
